AND METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 305 



Renfrewshire (Lower Ward). — No wheat and no barley grown in the 

 district. Oats, owing to the exceptionally dry weather, was an irregular 

 crop ; on the dry and early land straw was very short, and the yield under 

 the average, but on the later lands the crop, both of grain and straw, was 

 excellent ; the yield of grain would vary from 27 to 30 bushels ; the 

 quantity of seed sown, from 4 to 5 bushels. Harvest began about a fort- 

 night earlier than usual, and in some cases three weeks, but the weather 

 broke about the second week of August, and the crops sustained considerable 

 injury, both from heavy rain, dull weather, and the heating of stacks. 

 Ryegrass hay was not a heavy crop ; the clover was deficient, the weight 

 of crop varying according to the nature of the soil and locality ; the best 

 crops would not exceed H tons, and the average 15 cwt. ; the quality 

 throughout the district was excellent, the weather being exceptionally 

 favourable for securing the crop. Meadow hay on dry meadows was less 

 plentiful than last year, but where water for irrigating was in sufficient 

 volume, the crop was heavier, and all over the quality good. Potatoes, 

 the yield of early varieties was good, but there w'as no breadth of them 

 planted, and for a time the price was more encouraging than in former 

 years, this however, did not continue, and the late kinds met with dull 

 sales ; the average yield was somewhat better than last year, exceeding it 

 by about 1 ton ; disease appeared about the 26th of August, and where 

 the land was suitable to the crop was moderate in its damaging effects, — on 

 stiff land it made more havoc, and some crops sufiered to fully one-third or 

 more ; about 5 to 7 tons would be the average yield. The turnip crop 

 was throughout an abundant one, and the average yield would be from 

 16 to 25 tons. There was no trouble from the fly. Pastures were good 

 except in places which, from the dry W'eather, became burnt, but refreshing 

 showers remedied this drawback to a great extent. The rainfall has been 

 51 "50 inches as against an average of 65 '37 inches. 



Argyllshire (District of Oban). — No wheat grown. Very little barley 

 grown. Oats, the quantity is much above that of last year ; the quality is 

 good ; between 5 and 6 bushels is usually sown. The harvest was about 

 two weeks earlier than last year. Ryegrass was light, being much about the 

 same as last year's bulk ; it was well secured ; the clover was above the 

 average. Meadow hay much about the same as last year ; was well secured. 

 Potatoes, the yield was the heaviest for a good number of years, being 

 about 2 tons more than last year ; the disease did not show itself till late in 

 the season, and did not get at the roots ; the " Champion " is the principal 

 potato sown in this district. The turnip crop was much the same as last 

 year ; brairded well, and there Avas no second solving. No injury by insects. 

 Less weeds than usual, on account of the dry season. Pasture poor in the 

 beginning of the season, improved, and towards the end of the season was 

 good. Stock throve well, especially towards the end of the season, and were 

 free from disease. Clip of wool, quality good ; quantity about the average. 



Argyllshire (District of Lochgilphead). — Wheat, none grown in the 

 district. Barley, scarcely any grown in the district. Oats, about an aver- 

 age ; the season was rather too dry for some of the lighter soil ; 6 bushels 

 sown ; crop 35 to 40 bushels. An early harvest, about ten days before the 

 usual time. Hay crop good, both in quantity and quality; about same 

 bulk as last year; average crop in the district, Ih tons. Meadow hay, about 

 the same. Potato crop good ; 7 tons ; some disease in earliest, but it was 

 late setting in — it did not appear until September. Turnips, weight not re- 

 corded; quality good, and much the same as last year; crop brairded well; 

 only one sowing required. No injury by insects. Wild buck wheat, the 

 most common weed in the district ; damage (if any), less than usual. Pas- 

 VOL. XX. ' U 



